54 Chapter 54

On Rainbase, in Crocodile's hideout, Crocodile smashed the glass table, where he had placed the snail once, in pieces.

"How the hell did the 3C's get to know about my plan?!" He shattered a chair on the floor in anger.

"What is your next plan, Sir Crocodile?" Robin asked as she sat on the chair where she was listening to the call. She can't help but visualize a certain strawhatted teen, Monkey D. Luffy, from the voice of Cyra. The real question was why would Monkey D. Luffy calls himself Cyra? Is he Cyra himself or was he playing around?

Crocodile glared at Miss All Sunday seething in anger. He could dispose of the woman in a flick of his fingers but he didn't dare. He needed as many people as he could gather to fend off the 3C's.

"It's safe to assume that the Strawhats are no longer a threat to us considering the 3C's habits," Crocodile calculated. The 3C's tended to go against any and all pirate crew which would cross their paths. "Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek may also have been eliminated." There was no way those two could have even been able to put a fight against the 3C's.

"What now?" Robin asked as she stood up. A part of her felt that the Strawhats weren't down. But why should she care. Her hand slipped inside her pocket feeling the cold glass of the eternal pose. She wondered for the first time why she got the eternal pose.

"Gather all the numbered agents up to 10th rank," Crocodile ordered in an instant. At least with them he would have a good chance if he got cornered by the 3C's. Three people. And yet a whole army of his gathered bounty hunters seemed less in comparison to them. "Order them to keep in touch with the others. We need to be prepared."

.

"Captain Smoker! We've intercepted a highly peculiar call!" A marine shouted as he rushed towards his captain to play the black snail for him to hear.

"What?!" Smoker omitted after hearing the call once and at once called Tashigi, who was obsessing with the new katana she had got, to hear it too.

"Do you need something captain?" Tashigi asked as she dashed out to the deck.

"Listen carefully to this conversation," Smoker stated, his two cigars between his teeth.

"It's from a call that we intercepted just now. Shall I play it back now, sgt. major?" A marine who was wearing the black snail on his wrist asked for confirmation, which he got in the form of a nod from Tashigi.

"Crrk... tsst..." The black snail croaked.

"... Mr. 0... Strawhats... Princess Vivi... 3C's... Deal..." It was a gruff voice, most probably of an adult.

"... Nothing... Bad guy... ass kicked..." This voice was childish and this is what worried Smoker as it kept on budging him that he had heard this child at least once but he couldn't pinpoint it.

"...crrk.." The snail croaked before going back to sleep.

"Strawhats? As in the Strawhat Pirates?!" Tashigi spluttered. "And the 3C's?! What are they doing in the beginning of the Grand Line?!"

"There is something big going on," Smoker replied narrowing his eyes at the black snail wanting it to tell them what the conversation was about. "But this is the first lead we have about the Strawhat Pirates."

Tashigi nodded and then pointed her finger at the prisoner who was tied to the mast of the ship. "Could Mr. 0 have anything to do Mr. 11?" Tashigi asked.

"Good point. If these numbers are their code names and there's talk about deals then we might be dealing with a secret criminal organization." Smoker answered. "And this might be the first lead about the whereabouts of the 3C's."

"Captain, do you think the 3C's are behind this criminal organization?" The marine who had been carrying the black snail asked. He couldn't help but sweat at the idea of going to face the 3C's, if that's the case.

"The 3C's have always been secretive. They have been impossible to track. If we guess then either it can be a trap or someone's pretending to be them," Smoker replied back. "But it's worth the information."

There was no way the other side was even a member of 3C's, the pirate group having only 3 members. Considering their official ages, which were above 20, there was no chance the child was one of the three. And if the adult was one then he probably has to be a trap or someone pretending to be them.

"We need to keep our guards up." Smoker stated, as he ran another information in his head about the missing 'Princess Vivi'. "We are headed to Arabasta."

.

As the day gracefully bid its farewell and the sun began its descent towards the horizon for its nap, abroad on the ship, the adrenaline finally wavered off Luffy who was sprawled out on the figurehead. The fatigue and the unnecessary usage of his powers were there to bite his back while the mesmerizing symphony of warm hues draped him in their tender embrace.

Luffy could feel his tired crew bustling in the deck or in the galley. Zoro training with weights, Carque taking a nap near the mast, Sanji was preparing dinner in the galley. Usopp was crafting something while Nami was checking their course for Arabasta and Vivi was filling Nami with the basics of the Islands of the Grand Line.

Luffy felt his eyes dropping from the exhaustion and dizziness which he had stalled for the whole day. He wanted to bug Sanji for food, but at the same time he wanted to take a nap.

The thought of both led Luffy to stand on his feet but he regretted it the instant he did. The whole world seemed to swim before his eyes and the food which he had gobbled throughout the day threatened to come out of his mouth.

"Wanna play Luffy?" Usopp asked as he kept aside his new instrument at the sight of Luffy coming towards him.

"I'm gonna take a quick nap," Luffy replied with his vision swimming. He was trying to go for the mast but unfortunately he collided with the door of the men's cabin. So, he just pretended that he was going there and dashed inside before Usopp could question him or Zoro could stop him.

Time soon passed, and the dinner was finally ready. Sanji was really happy knowing they have plenty of food stocked in the ship to feed Luffy and the whole crew for days.

"Dinner is ready!" Sanji called out stepping out of the galley to inform others. One by one everyone scrambled to the kitchen except for Zoro and Luffy.

"Where's Luffy?" Sanji voiced out and saw Zoro come out of the crow's nest sweat dripping from his body.

"He's taking a nap," Zoro answered as he wiped the sweat with a towel.

Sanji didn't even need to ask Zoro to get Luffy as he saw the green haired swordsman do it on his own.

When Zoro entered the men's cabin, he had thought that Luffy would be talking to his brothers or father with the snail he got but he was really tucked inside his bed.

"Luffy!" Zoro called out as he opened his locker to get his shirt and pants. "Get up you idiot or you will miss dinner."

Zoro threw his dirty clothes in the laundry basket and still didn't hear any rustle from the boy, so with a groan he got to Luffy who was sleeping by clutching his pillow in his hands. The sight was too adorable but concerning.

Luffy was emitting light which had his pale face glow brightly in the dark room. He had seen him doing so at night time, but this time wasn't it a little bit too much? Zoro questioned himself mentally.

"Hey, get up, idiot!" Zoro shook the boy, who mumbled something under his breath and slowly got up rubbing his eyes.

"'ro?" Luffy asked, his eyelids closed shut and head dropping down, as if he wanted to go back to sleep again.

"Dinner is ready," Zoro informed as he saw Luffy open his eyelids drowsily and raise his arms.

"Don't act as a baby!" Zoro retorted but still turned back to give Luffy a piggyback ride with a huff.

"Thanks Zoro," Luffy mumbled as he plopped his head on Zoro's broad shoulder.

"You okay?" Zoro asked as he gently held Luffy's legs to not let him slip off. Luffy felt warmer against his back. More warmer than usual... a part of his mind wondered if it was concerning.

"Mmmm," Luffy hummed trying to open his eyes, but his head was throbbing too much for him to focus on anything.

As soon as Zoro and Luffy entered the galley, all eyes went on them.

"He looks so cute!" Nami gushed seeing Luffy rub his eyes messily and take a yawn as he was placed on his seat.

"I can't believe he is really the captain," Vivi whispered back to Nami. If she was any outsider, she would tell that Luffy was the baby of the crew other than a captain with a ridiculously high bounty.

"Here you go, captain," Sanji appeared as he presented a big glass of energy drink and a plate of food to Luffy, ready to serve more if required. "Eat as much as you want. We have stocked enough for a month."

"Thanks Sanji!" Luffy answered as he forcefully opened his eyes and saw the plates and glasses swim in his mind.

'Need more sleep. But before that food!' Luffy thought but unknown to him he mumbled it, which got heard by Zoro and Sanji who were near him.

Sanji and Zoro shared a silent glance, watching Luffy pick up his fork and start eating. The boy looked frighteningly pale to them. They couldn't even decipher what was going on. Not for the first time, they wished they had a doctor on the crew.

Usopp jumped in about a story trying to keep Luffy awake and Carque nudged Luffy worriedly each time his eyes would drop down.

Everyone in the galley was chatting merrily with the delicious dinner, when Luffy's head finally plopped beside his half eaten plate.

"Luffy?!" Each of them shouted at once. It was common knowledge the rubber boy loved eating. They were about to check on the boy when soft snores erupted from where he was seated.

"He fell asleep!" Nami facepalmed at the bizarre behavior at once. A part of her mind calmed down, though she felt odd.

"Seems like it," Sanji stated calmly, hiding his worry due to the half eaten food and drink.

"Should we wait for him to get up?" Usopp asked as he looked at Luffy. He couldn't help but remember the conversation which he had with the teen on the deck. Luffy had never refused to play.

"I think he needs sleep," Zoro commented as he got up from his seat.

"Luffy must be exhausted from the day's events," Vivi gave her point. They all were exhausted and she couldn't even decipher how much the rubber boy would have been, considering his age, his energetic self and the fight he had put on single handedly with four Baroque Work agents.

"I'll make him a snack when he gets up," Sanji spoke to nobody and helped Zoro position Luffy on his back. But the instant he touched Luffy, something felt wrong.

"Lemme help you," Sanji said to Zoro as an excuse to question the new anomaly. The moment they were out of the galley, Sanji opened his mouth again. "Something isn't right."

"I know," Zoro agreed as Sanji opened the men's cabin door.

"I really wish Luffy tells us what's going on," Sanji mumbled as he saw Zoro tuck Luffy in his blanket and Luffy clutching his spare pillow instantly to snuggle into it.

"He might have his reasons," Zoro answered back, placing his hands on Luffy's forehead. It was warmer than usual. "But still I can't help but feel useless when Luffy gets this way."

"I know, Zoro," Sanji agreed wishing to smoke, but refused to. He wasn't going to risk Luffy's health when he really doesn't even know what's going on with him.

.

The next morning when Luffy woke, his whole body protested against moving a single inch. But with a smile on his face, he greeted the faint dizziness and pain in his body. He blamed it all on the giant move which he had pulled but never regretted it. Moreover, he didn't even see a nightmare of a memory he was yet not ready to! So, it was a win-win for him.

He walked in the kitchen to pester Sanji for breakfast, which he was served rather quickly. When he was on his 10th plate, he didn't want to eat anymore. His stomach felt abnormally full at the slight food he had eaten, which resulted in him here.

"Luffy, finish the plate," Sanji sighed as he looked at the teen looking at his plate with creased eyebrows. "You haven't even eaten last night."

"Don't wanna," Luffy replied back. "I feel full."

"At least finish the juice," Sanji sighed. Luffy had woken up early and barged into the kitchen asking for breakfast, which had Sanji happy that Luffy looked finally okay... even if he was still pale. But he chalked that to lack of food.

"Fine," Luffy grumbled as he downed the energy drink in a go, which tasted completely bland. He had eaten worse but today all the food tasted like ash. Not that he is gonna complain 'cause nobody knows when there would be food on the plate the next time while on sea.

"Luffy, are you hiding something from us?" Sanji questioned as he looked at Luffy.

"N-Nope!" Luffy answered and Sanji could hear the lie clearly in his voice but before he could question him, he was out of the galley. Sanji sighed as he picked up the dirty dishes and placed the half eaten plate in the fridge. He really hopes Luffy is feeling okay.

Outside the deck, Luffy took a sigh of relief as he allowed himself to walk on the deck over the snow... which felt like water and steam. Luffy's eyes nonchalantly went to his legs making him freeze at a place. The snow below him was turning into water the instant he was touching it. He looked at the weather, it was definitely snowing and yet the snow melted, hell, evaporated as it reached near him.

Luffy's gaze slowly turned towards his mother, who was inches away from him. He could hear her calling him and yet he couldn't move a single step. He could hear his mother trying to calm him and yet he couldn't listen to her.

"Luffy? Is something the problem?" Luffy flinched at Zoro's voice.

"Z-Zoro?" Luffy spoke, looking wide eyed at Zoro, who started walking towards him noticing something was terribly wrong.

"Luffy?" Zoro asked as he saw Luffy standing frozen at the deck and not moving even a single inch. He was slurring and not to mention he looked as if he was even scared to move or breathe.

"D-Do-Don't-" Luffy was unable to finish his word when everything hit him at once. His swimming vision, the dizziness, his light head, the warmth from his body, the thought of hurting-

"LUFFY!" Zoro yelled at once as he caught Luffy, who was about to fall in the ocean, which calmed all of a sudden as if the ocean itself had stopped breathing.

"What happened Zoro?!" It was Sanji who dashed out of the galley, followed by others who were sleeping earlier.

"He is burning!" Zoro shouted, as he felt his hands start to burn badly, but yet he didn't leave Luffy to the ocean which could turn treacherous at any moment and gobble him up.

"Bring him in!" Nami ordered the next, making Zoro dash to the men's cabin with an unconscious Luffy in his arms.

"Does he have a fever?" Usopp asked with wide eyes as he saw Luffy breathing heavily and why the hell was he feeling hot when it was snowing outside?!

"Someone bring a thermometer," Sanji yelled the next instant as he had to literally reel back his hands from Luffy's forehead. It was burning badly. He looked at Zoro's hands and saw first degree burns on it. "What the heck?!"

"What?" Zoro asked as he looked at Sanji. The burn didn't bother him a bit as he looked at Luffy's flushed cheeks and heavy breathing.

"Usopp, we need salve and bandages," Sanji spoke snapping his cigarette in two. Usopp who would have questioned the abrupt demand followed Sanji's gaze to see Zoro's hands, which made him gasp and run for the first aid kit.

"It must be from the climate change, the obstacle that all sailors who enter Grand Line will crash into sooner or later due to abnormal weather," Vivi tried to explain as she looked at Luffy's red face.

"That doesn't explain this," Sanji was just an inch snapping at Vivi, but he controlled himself. Luckily, it was at the same time, Nami and Usopp came dashing into the room with the thermometer, bandage and salve.

Sanji took the thermometer as he placed it in his captain's mouth but what they saw next literally made their eyes pop out of their sockets.

"What the hell?!" Everyone in the room shouted as they saw the thermometer rising to an absurd level and then dramatically burst as if it were a pressure cooker. None of them could deny that they didn't see the glass comically expand and the mercury inside surge upward uncontrollably and finally explode into pieces with a 'boing' sound.

"This isn't good at all!" Nami stated the instant and went to check the temperature of Luffy's forehead, only to be stopped by Sanji.

"Don't!" Sanji stated as he gestured to Zoro's hands which were completely red due to carrying Luffy, making Nami's eyes wide.

"Don't you guys have a doctor?!" Vivi questioned while panicking. She had never seen something like what she was seeing. 

Everyone in the room pointed to Nami, who bit her lips.

"I may have some medical knowledge but I don'tknow anything of this kind," Nami quivered. "But I'll try to figure something out."

"Hey, isn't his temperature always a little too much?" Usopp questioned as he looked at everyone.

"But it's too much even for Luffy!" Zoro retorted angrily.

"Guys! There's no need to fight!" Nami stepped forward. "Let's hope it's a normal fever." She rushed to bring forth a bowl and poured water in it and then took a towel and dipped it in.

"It can help him," Nami stated as she placed the towel on Luffy's head. But the next second, the towel... went dry.

"Guys, it's not at all normal!" Vivi stated finally. Nothing was normal here. She can smell the faint burning of the mattress, the heat coming from Luffy's body warming the whole cabin despite the blizzard outside!

"He needs a doctor," Nami spoke shakily as she desperately tried to wet the towel back again and place it on Luffy's head, but the towel went dry once more. She felt on the verge of panic at the very sight of it.

"What's wrong with Luffy?" Usopp whimpered, digging his nails in his palms. He cannot falter when his best friend is laying on the bed... unconscious and all his symptoms are too abnormal to even be normal by Luffy's standards.

"I have given my 100% in the meals I cook for Luffy, especially after the giant thing he first pulled out," Sanji spoke as he gritted his teeth. "Energy drinks! Fresh meat and vegetables which I sneaked in, everything which I have given him was nutritious."

"No one's blaming you," Zoro spoke making Sanji who was biting his lips nod.

No one would have panicked this bad if it was someone else, 'cause they knew the others were normal unlike Luffy. Luffy was everything but normal.

"What to do now?" Nami questioned as she was stopped by Vivi in her frantic attempts.

"There has to be doctors in Arabasta, right?" Usopp asked Vivi, who was keeping Carque away from nudging Luffy. Hell, none of them were even able to touch Luffy 'cause of his body's temperature.

"There are. But it will take more than a week to get there and Luffy's fever is more than what the thermometer can even record," Vivi spoke with a gulp. It was a wonder how the teen was even alive!

"If this continues, then we could l-lose L-Luffy," Nami uttered in a shaky voice, as she plopped on the chair near the bedside.

"WHAT?!" Everyone, except Vivi who knew this, shouted at once.

"You gotta kidding, right, Nami?" Sanji asked with wide eyes.

"Luffy can't die!" Zoro retorted the next second.

"AHHH!!!" Usopp was panicking as he couldn't take the information well.

Even Carque started crying at the news.

"Stop making a fuss and shut up!" Vivi snapped, seeing Nami unable to utter a single word.

"There has to be a way to cure Luffy!" Zoro stated calmly as he contemplated using the snail which was sitting on Luffy's bedside. Luffy's abnormal condition could only be answered by his brothers or his father.

"What are you thinking about Zoro?" Sanji asked Zoro following the direction where his eyes were.

"You know how to use that, right Sanji?" Zoro asked instead, quieting down everyone.

"Are you thinking of calling his brother? Or father?!" Nami spoke as she got up to look Zoro straight in his eyes. Zoro looked determined.

"What good will it do?!" Vivi inquired. "He needs a doctor!"

"I know," Sanji uttered, answering everyone's question.

"Call him," Zoro replied as he fiddled with the single notebook in Luffy's bag. He had seen Luffy taking the notebook before calling his brother. It has to do something with the work of the snail and as he suspected the front page of the notebook carried numbers... a lot of them with names beside them.

"Whom are we calling?" Usopp asked. He really didn't want them to call the Revolutionary leader.

"Sabo," Zoro spoke as he passed the notebook for Sanji to call the said older brother.

Purupurupuru

Click

"Aww! My cute baby brother-" Sabo stopped speaking at the sight of the Strawhats appearing and not his baby brother. "Where's Luffy?!" Sabo uttered urgently, getting up from his chair.

"That's the reason why we are calling," Zoro spoke as Sanji faced the snail to the place where Luffy was laying unconscious.

Sabo's eyes widened as he took the ghostly pale face of Luffy, his flushed red cheeks and the labored breathing which he could hear.

"What happened?" Sabo asked sitting back on his chair. Why hadn't Luffy snuck off board to his mother?! "Tell me from the beginning."

"It was yesterday that he pulled out a stupid move-"

"What did that do?" Sabo questioned cutting Sanji as his knuckles turned white.

"It turned him into a giant," Zoro provided.

"Did he named the move something utterly incomprehensible?" Sabo asked, calming his shaky voice. He can't panic right now.

"Yes," Nami uttered.

"Dammit Luffy! Dammit!" Sabo cursed banging his hand on his table harshly. That was the reason the ones who knew him as Nika didn't want to let him leave early. He wasn't ready.

"Hey? Is it bad?" Usopp asked as he spoke for the first time.

"It's deadly!" Sabo snapped, freezing everyone.

"What are we supposed to do?" Zoro asked calmly as he balled his fists tight. He couldn't help but realize that whatever was happening with Luffy wasn't good. But he wasn't going to let Luffy die. "We don't even have a doctor!"

Sabo took a breath threading his long gloved fingers through his shiny blonde hair, before speaking, "Can everyone except the first mate leave the room?"

Zoro looked at everyone, who didn't want to move an inch from the room.

"It's okay," Zoro spoke. "I'll handle it."

"You better," Sanji replied gritting his teeth as he led the others reluctantly out.

"What I am going to say shouldn't leave the room until Luffy speaks about it, got it?" Sabo spoke seriously, hearing the door shut.

Zoro nodded. He could hear the clear warning behind the single sentence, which delivered the severity of the situation to him.

"You must sneak Luffy to-"

"'Bo? 'ro?" A weak childish voice uttered halting Sabo's words.

"Luffy? How are you feeling?" Zoro asked worriedly. 

"Hey, Lu! You okay?" Sabo asked simultaneously as he heard Luffy's groans.

"My head hurts," Luffy whined.

"Why haven't you gone to your mother?" Sabo asked softly, making Zoro look incredulously at Sabo and then at Luffy.

"Can't!" Luffy retorted, his eyes getting a glassy shine.

"Zoro! Can you please sneak Luffy to the sea?" Sabo asked seriously turning to Zoro, who raised an eyebrow at that.

"Why the hell would you want him anywhere near the sea?!" Zoro questioned back.

"'Cause she heals him!" Sabo answered. He knew he was giving too much but it was required. It was something which they should have told Zoro at the very beginning.

Zoro's eyes widened as his mind reeled back to how Luffy would always become more energetic after getting a dip. How his wounds would automatically close! Everything was right before him and yet he hadn't been able to connect the dots!

"I'll take him-"

"Stop!" Luffy retorted instantly using all his strength to make sure his voice is heard.

"Luf, what's wrong?" Sabo asked in a gentle tone, not wanting to overwhelm his baby brother. Not for the first time he wished to be there by his side. 

"Don't wanna hurt Mama," Luffy slurred out with a whine, which was barely comprehensible. His eyes were dropping but he needed to make sure that he won't be dropped in his mother's arms. The very thought was giving him a chill. "The water's evapo.."

"He fell unconscious again," Zoro stated worriedly, as his hands went to check Luffy's forehead only for it to automatically jerk up from the heat. Luffy's body temperature was risingc alarmingly.

"Zoro," Sabo stated calmly even if he was completely on the verge of panicking. Luffy refused to go to his mother. There has to be a reason and from Luffy's half finished sentence he can think of one. But still, his baby brother needed a doctor. He needed someone. Only if they could contact Iva! "Take him to Drum Island, it's nearest to where you are."

"Drum?" Zoro repeated looking at Sabo.

"Yeah, trust the winds and the seas. They will guide you," Sabo spoke. He was worried for his brother. Both of his brothers weren't in the right condition and it only made him want to cry 'cause he wasn't with them right now.

"Please take care of him," Sabo bowed his head, hiding the onset of his tears. He really wished that the doctors from Drum would know what they would be handling. They are the best doctors in the World... better than Iva... so they must know a cure for his reckless brother.

"I will. You have my word," Zoro stated as he disconnected the call the next second.

Placing the snail back on its rightful place, Zoro opened the door of the cabin to see the sight of everyone sitting outside the door waiting for any news. Zoro saw everyone open their mouths to question him, but he bet them on it.

"We are heading to Drum Island," Zoro stated looking at Nami particularly. He absent mindedly noted that Vivi's hands on her skirt tightened.

"But what about the directions?" Nami questioned at once.

"'Trust the winds and the seas. They will guide you.'" Zoro repeated the words of Sabo to everyone. "That's what Sabo told me."

"That's nonsense! This way we won't reach anywhere!" Vivi retorted at once. The thought of reaching her kingdom late scared her. She knew she wasn't thinking straight especially when the one whom she trusted on defeating Crocodile was down. What was she supposed to do?! They needed a doctor for Luffy and as per her knowledge Drum has the best doctors but trusting the seas and the winds to guide them?! She wasn't that insane.

"Vivi, wait!" Nami uttered as she looked at the eternal pose of Arabasta. When she had woken up and had fixed their direction only for it to be directed elsewhere, she had known something was wrong. But right now, seeing the needle pointing in a completely wrong direction, she felt that the winds and the seas were really guiding them. "I think we should trust Sabo's words this once."

"Isn't Luffy capable of controlling winds?" Usopp inquired clearly remembering what Luffy had let them know, even if he so desires to forget that day.

"Yes, that's why we should trust them," Sanji spoke taking a puff from his cigarette and looking at the sky.

Vivi wanted to object to them, but she couldn't. They would have to wander in the seas aimlessly regardless of any proper direction. There was no way they could reach Arabasta before a week and even she wasn't heartless to see Luffy suffering. 

.

Luffy woke up in the middle of night. He thought himself to be in Merry or with his Mama cradled in her warm embrace, but he couldn't feel anyone near. Snapping his eyes open, he froze at the sight of the ever present darkness which surrounded him. The darkness which was in an ever constant fight with the bright glow, fighting for their places in the vast universe.

The fact that he was alone gnawed his heart, starting to tear and shred it mercilessly into pieces which he never thought could have happened.

"W-Why?" Nika trembled, looking at his body and then at the darkness which threatened to eat him whole. The fact that his old fears and fat tears started to get hold of him was left unsaid. Nika couldn't comprehend how he was surged into the past against his own will, left alone (was it really his destiny?) and unheard.

There were so many unspeakable emotions which reigned turmoil within him at the very sight of the bright ball of sun hanging in the threatening darkness.

"A-Ace? S-Sabo? P-Papa?" Nika sobbed, curling on himself, shutting his eyes close. He didn't want to see his body nor the place where he was. He couldn't. "Please save me." Nika choked, words spilling out of his incoherently. He was a mess of tears and snot.

"Nika?"

Nika's head jolted upwards at the soft, honey like commanding voice of his mother. She was too far away. He wanted to move, he wanted to run to his mother to seek comfort. But his body refused to as it had yet not gained that undesirable surge of wish to seek for adventures and see the world.

He couldn't control his body as it stood up and moved through the vast darkness and started providing the much needed sunshine to every creature- whom he can't see and meet- in the world. Nika couldn't help but feel sick, he didn't wish to move, he didn't wish to be bound by his duties once more, he couldn't comprehend himself shackled by the merciless cuffs of duties, he didn't want to lose his freedom which he had finally gained.

Horrified, he wanted to scream, he wanted to shout at his 'father' for giving him this punishment once again to chart his reigns alone without anyone by his side. He wanted to shout countless profanities which would one day make Ace proud for sure and tell his 'father' to leave him alone. That he didn't want to... he couldn't do it... anymore. Why doesn't he understand?! Why did he have to bind him with his words to walk in circles?!

It felt like years had passed as he kept on watching himself, unable to do a single anything, repeat the same routine with angry and hurt eyes. He couldn't see himself but he knew what expression he used to make when he wished to stop but yet kept moving. That emotionless gaze, only soothed by his mother, was nerve wracking. He remembers himself having only emotions like anger and pity for himself. 

His emotionless eyes stuck on his mother. He longed for her. To be at least once in her loving arms, to witness her love for himself. He had seen his mother cradle his siblings to her chest whenever they did something good. A part of him questioned himself always at those sights... wasn't he doing anything to make his mother feel proud of him? Didn't she want to hold him at least once? Did she even care for him...? Did his cursed lonely life to eternity ever bothered her?

As the time continued to walk past him, he felt himself getting crazy. The pleas for someone to come save him and break him from the curse never stopped. He wondered if his brothers, father, and friends left him alone. He didn't want to be alone. Being alone was worse than being hurt.

Tears fell off Nika's eyes once more at the thought and suddenly he was on the ground... near the shore. His mother was right before him, standing with her open arms and a big sweet smile on her face.

"M-Mother," Nika choked on his sob as he took a slow step at first, unbelieving of what he was witnessing in the first place. His mother was standing waiting for him.

"My son," Nika heard his mother speak softly. No more was required as Nika ran and covered the petty distance between them and ran into her arms... only for to realize that her mother disappeared the next second.

It horrified him as he saw his mother form again on a safe distance away from him. The reality crashed into him despite the calm soothing words of his mother.

He had hurt her.

H-He had burned her.

Nika couldn't hear anymore, as he took a step back. Apologizing profusely he took another back. He could see his mother's hurt face. Not much familiar with emotions Nika believed that she was hurt 'cause of his heat. He didn't even consider that his mother was hurt 'cause Nika was backing away from her.

None to wiser, Nika ran sobbing. He ran away from his siblings who tried to stop him in his path. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He didn't want to burn anyone. Not his dear ones, whom he still holds in his heart.

"Aren't you an interesting one? Abandoned by ones who should have held you close!" A cruel laugh taunted his ears.

.

"Luffy?" Sanji uttered as he saw his captain twisting and turning on the bed, his blanket thrown on the ground and him sweating badly.

"Luffy are you okay?" Sanji repeated as he walked forward to Luffy whose eyes were leaking tears. Something was utterly wrong and he knew it the way Luffy was trembling like a leaf. It reminded him of his childhood memories...

"Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry-"

"It's okay. Everything's okay," Sanji spoke without even realizing as he crouched to Luffy's bedside and held his hands and gave it a squeeze.

"A STORM'S COMING! ALL HANDS ON BOARD!" Sanji heard Nami shriek in fear. He wanted to rush to Nami's aid but he couldn't leave, not when Luffy was shaking, whimpering and a total mess. He wouldn't let him face the nightmare alone.

He knew that Luffy was making his worst memories resurface but that little thought won't make him leave Luffy's side.  Not when Luffy's shaking hands caught the sleeves of his frilled shirt he was wearing in his death grip. It just showed that he was touch starved.

"I promise, things will be alright," Sanji muttered softly, as he picked the touch starved captain and cradled him gently. Sanji would never admit it loud what he was doing for Luffy tonight. But he knew that he was doing right. Luffy needed someone to hold him, to not allow him to hurt himself in the tossing and turning he was doing.

"PleasepleaseI'msorryIdon'twant-"

"COOK! WE NEED A HAND!" Zoro came dashing in the cabin, drenching with the waters which were raining on the deck and the terrible storm which had appeared out of no where and was something which Nami couldn't even predict.

"I'm busy," Sanji hissed as he kept on rubbing circles on Luffy's back.

"What the hell?!" Zoro asked with wide eyes at the sight of a whimpering Luffy holding Sanji in a death grip.

"ZORO! TIE THE SAILS!" Zoro heard Nami screaming which made him look at Luffy and then at the cook.

"We will talk later," Zoro stated, looking at Luffy for the last time and hearing his soft whimpers and then running back to the deck.

"Luffy, you gotta wake up. Even Zoro is worried for you now," Sanji got back to coddling the teen. His violent sobs had ended and he wasn't shaking but the tears flowing from his eyes told stories of a gruesome nightmare to Sanji.

"W-Why me?" Luffy uttered something comprehensible for the first time. "Sorry Mama..."

"It's okay. Get up Luffy. Whatever you are seeing is not real. It's just a nightmare. Come on wake up, Luf," Sanji kept on speaking assuring words not giving up on Luffy. It was working, albeit slowly but working. The tears were stopping, leaving the dry tear tracks in their wake. 

Slowly, Sanji's hard work paid off, when Luffy finally opened his eyes which were red, his lips were wobbling showing that he wanted to cry more.

"It's okay. Everything is fine now," Sanji hugged Luffy, patting his back gently. Sanji saw Luffy break down into ugly sobs holding him tighter, seeking for comfort and touch. Sanji knew that Luffy was trying to decipher if he was really here or was just a figment of his imagination. He had been here and knew how hard it was to wake up and differentiate from the reality and dream.

"I'm here. Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Vivi and Carque are on the deck fighting a storm. You are not alone. You are here with us. Right, captain?" Sanji asked seeing the teen detach from him and rub his eyes messily and hiccup.

"I-I am on M-Merry?" Luffy asked for the first time not releasing his hands from the hem of Sanji's shirt. 

"Yes, captain," Sanji replied as he saw Luffy tilt towards the wall. "Do you want to talk about the nightmare?" 

Luffy shook his head, his eyes closed tightly.

"Do you want something to eat?" Sanji asked looking at Luffy.

"I want to, but don't leave me alone," Luffy spoke in a low tune biting his lips and looking at Sanji with his glassy eyes. "Being alone is worse than being hurt."

"I'll stay," They heard a voice and saw Zoro entering the cabin. He was standing there for a few minutes since the storm had ended. Nami and Vivi were in their cabin, changing their dresses while Usopp had bee lined for the bath house.

"That's okay with you, captain?" Sanji questioned softly seeing Luffy looking at Zoro and then at him. His last words were worrying. What had happened for Luffy to tell those words when it was clear that he has a doting father and a brocon brother?

"Mhmm," Luffy nodded as he was tucked inside his blanket once again by Zoro, who stayed there without even changing from his wet clothes. But it wasn't required since his clothes began drying with the heat Luffy's body was giving. Sanji absently wondered why he was still in one piece and not having burns.

When Sanji returned to the men's cabin with a bowl of broth, he saw Luffy awake, his hair been petted gently by Zoro and Usopp wildly telling him the story of the storm he had fought bravely just a while ago, which had Luffy's attention and was helping him to keep awake.

He passed the broth to Luffy after he sat up with Zoro's help while asked Usopp to bring out another thermometer. Sadly, there was no change as Luffy's temperature wasn't even recorded by the thermometer. The only good thing which happened was Luffy began giggling when the thermometer burst off.

"Don't laugh Luffy! It's serious!" Usopp chided, making the boy grin, before closing his eyes.

"Shishishi...!" 

And he fell asleep. Sanji sighed. At least he had finished his bowl completely.

The nightmare gave Sanji much to ponder and Zoro to keep his guard up.

.

"LAND AHOY!" Usopp shouted as he saw the Island which could be finally seen after a day of sailing.

"Land?!" Vivi repeated as she strode to the railing wearing her winter gear. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. They had finally reached an Island! The Island was so white, which meant it had to be a snow Island... and Drum was a winter Island. "That's Drum Island."

"E-Even if there were any monsters, brave Usopp is ready to fight with them for the sake of Luffy!" Usopp declared, despite the light shiver which ran through his body.

"Finally, we are here," Nami whispered under her breath at the sight of the snowy mountain. She could bet that Luffy would have been overjoyed at the sight of the Island. Her hands on the railing tightened a little. Luffy was sick. "Luffy will get better. We will find a doctor."

"Yes we will," Sanji assured standing beside Nami, puffing out smoke from his mouth. He was going to call Zoro, who had not left Luffy's side since the last night, when a sudden authoritative voice demanded them to stop where they were.

"Stop right there, pirates!" The voice said and soon everyone on the deck noticed the crowd that was standing on the snowy cliffs carrying weapons.

"Judging from their mood, it doesn't look good," Usopp murmured, fighting every inch of his body to stand straight and not flee inside. He needed to stand up for Luffy.

"You will turn around immediately and leave this Island at once!" The same man stated.

"What?!" Nami asked in shock, her voice faltering as she continued to speak. "You won't even let us dock?! We are only looking for a doctor!" 

But that didn't deter the men who were ready to risk their own life for the sake of their country. It seemed to only agitate them further.

"Those lies won't work on us, pirate scum!" 

"This is our country and we won't let any pirates run amok on it!" 

"Turn back or else we'll make you leave!" 

"Talk about a bad first impression," Sanji gritted out, holding his cigarette out of his mouth. 

"Don't talk back at us!" One of the men shouted, firing at Sanji's feet at once. Sanji barely avoided getting shot in the leg due to the man's senseless action, which made Sanji glare darkly at the man. He couldn't believe he was having this right now, when Luffy needed medical attention urgently.

"Now you've done it," Sanji spoke darkly to the man who gulped but reloaded his gun. Sanji was about to attack the man, but got held by Nami and Vivi instantly.

"Don't!" Vivi and Nami shouted at once understanding the situation better than the others. But that didn't stop the bullet from grazing Vivi as she fell down.

"Vivi!" Everyone shouted, making Zoro finally come out of the men's cabin, having passed the baton of taking care of Luffy to Carque.

"What the hell is even going on?!" Zoro growled as he saw Vivi's arms bleeding and being supported by Nami. He saw Sanji and Usopp growl in anger and didn't hesitate to unsheathe his sword.

"How dare you hurt a lady!!?" Sanji snapped getting all pissed off. It didn't do anything more than to make the men point their weapons to shoot once more. 

"PREPARE TO SHOOT!" One of the men ordered. 

"Stop it, idiots!" Nami growled bonking Zoro on the head as Vivi went to hold Sanji to stop him. "This can't be solved by fighting." 

"You don't have to worry about me, the bullet only grazed my arm!" Vivi begged as she pleaded with Sanji to stop. 

"Please, please," Nami turned towards the men who were still raising their weapons. "We promise to not set a foot on your country!"

"We just need a doctor! Can't you do that for a kid who is gravely ill?" Vivi questioned as she kneeled down on her knees and bowed down before the men. "Please he needs help." 

"Vivi..!" Nami whispered in shock. She was shocked that a princess would bow her head for their sake. She was shocked that Vivi felt that Luffy was a kid... but seeing a princess bow her head for their sake was startling. 

"You're failing to carry your duties as a vice captain, Zoro," Vivi implored, her head sticking to the deck. "Recklessly fighting while the captain is down isn't going to solve anything. If you were to start a fight right now, what would happen to Luffy?"

Zoro gritted his teeth as he finally sheathed his blades back. He hadn't understood the situation and was going to recklessly endanger Luffy's life.

"Sorry, I was wrong." For the first time, Zoro kept his pride aside and kneeled down for someone else, for the sake of his captain. "We ask for a doctor. Please save him. Please." 

Nami, Sanji and Usopp stood shocked, their eyes going to the men and then back to Vivi and Zoro, both of them who never in their wildest dreams thought they would bow to someone else.

The villagers seemed shocked as well. The man who looked ready to be after their blood was bowing his head to them. The thought struck the leader of the crowd more than anyone else. The man was known by the name Dalton.

"We'll lead you to our town. Follow me," Dalton spoke after a little while.

"See? They understood." Vivi smiled at Zoro, who nodded his head in thanks to Vivi.

"Let me give you one warning before hand, there is only one doctor in our country and she happens to be a witch," Dalton spoke looking over to the pirates from his shoulder.

"Will work," Zoro spoke as he scrambled to the men's cabin to pick Luffy.

"I'll carry him, moss head!" Sanji instantly ran after Zoro.

"There's no way you're carrying him," Zoro retorted as hauled up Luffy on his back, despite the burning heat which he felt.

"Shut up. Give Luffy to me," Sanji gritted his teeth as he concernedly looked at Zoro who didn't even flinch upon carrying Luffy's hot burning body.

"And then what?! For you to burn your hands?!" Zoro snapped. "Luffy likes your cooking and you can't cook if your hands burn! So shut the hell up!"

Sanji stood dumbstruck for a moment as he watched Zoro walk into the cold wearing only his regular clothes. Sanji felt useless. He couldn't even do anything to support Luffy. What are his hands for if they can't support Luffy!?

"Save your hands for the food which Luffy is going to need. I can't give him that but you can," Zoro spoke leaving the room with Luffy on his back.

Sanji bit his lip and nodded to the empty room, before leaving to go after Zoro.

Outside, Dalton was waiting in the snowy weather for the pirates to bring their sick mate, when he saw the snow stop falling suddenly. Without a thought, he turned towards the three pirates who were already on the ground and waiting for their other mates to come.

"How long is it gonna take?" He asked. He saw them nervously look at their ship, without giving him any answer. A part of him questioned if he was doing the right thing by trusting the pirates.

"Let's get going!" Dalton heard the voice of the green haired man and in a second he was down on the ground with a kid hauled on his back, who was breathing heavily. But why did the snow seem to melt with each step of the swordsman?

"Stop jumping like that, moron!" Sanji yelled at Zoro who had recklessly jumped off the ship with Luffy on his back.

Dalton couldn't help but keep an eye on the kid. His instincts were telling him to be wary of the little kid, even if he was down with a fever. He couldn't help but feel like he was a prey in the watch of an injured predator who could skin him alive... But at the same time, his zoan form seemed to respect the teen without carrying any hostility towards him.

"How much high is his fever?" Dalton couldn't help but ask when he saw the green haired swordsman place the kid with strawhat on the bed of his house.

"We can't record," Zoro answered looking at his captain and not at all worried about his burning back and hands. It was nothing compared to what Luffy was going through. "The last time it broke the thermometer."

"That's impossible!" Dalton gasped. "The thermometer must have been already broken! There is no way a human can be alive at such a high temperature."

"But he is," Vivi answered looking at the Strawhats, who looked like they knew something but were tight lipped about it. She respected their decision and chose not to pester about it.

Dalton stared down at the kid in awe before attempting to place his hand on the boy's forehead, only to be slapped away by the green haired swordsman's burnt hands. His eyes widened at the thought of the swordsman in pain and yet not saying anything. 

"Here," Dalton passed the salve and bandages to the green haired swordsman which got taken by the orange haired woman.

"Thanks for these," Nami thanked as she threatened Zoro to lift his shirt and reveal his burns, which literally made her gasp. She wasn't a doctor but she knew those were second degree burns. "We need a doctor as soon as possible." Nami spoke with her eyes going to Luffy and then to Zoro's back.

"Where the hell is the doctor?" Sanji asked as he wished to smoke but refused to.

"Dr. Kureha lives in that castle, the one on top of those mountains called the Drum Rockies." Dalton answered pointing towards the windows from where the mountains could be seen from. "That castle is currently vacant of a king and Dr. Kureha lives there. She's the lone doctor in this country whom its citizens call a witch."

"Of all the places she could be, she just has to be there," Sanji gritted out. 

"We can call her right?" Usopp asked as he helped Nami apply the bandages on Zoro.

"Sorry but there's no way to contact her," Dalton apologized. They would have to wait to fix the kid up. There was no other way around. "She treats people according to her whims. She comes down from the Drum Rockies whenever she feels like, treating sick and taking whatever she wants from their houses as a payment. According to eye witnesses, she flies down from the Drum Rockies on a sleigh pulled by an unidentified creature."

Usopp began to freak out the information, even Nami's hands stopped on finishing the bandage on Zoro's back. Vivi looked disbelieving at the information while Sanji was having trouble taking it in.

"I'll take Luffy up that mountain, if that's what is needed to save him," Zoro stated as he wore his shirt back.

"Are you crazy?!" Vivi yelled pointing at the tall mountain. "Do you really think-!?"

"I'll be coming along too," Sanji spoke, interrupting Vivi, as he stepped in Zoro's path.

"They'll be fine," Nami spoke placing a hand on Vivi's shoulder. If someone can do it, then it was the monster trio.

"Do as you wish," Zoro replied as he lightly patted Luffy's cheeks to get him up.

"'ro?" Luffy whined as he mumbled the words.

"We'll be hiking for the doctor you need," Zoro spoke softly.

"I hate doc," Luffy slurred out as he saw multiple Zoro before his eyes.

"The captain I know is brave. He isn't afraid of doctors. Sanji and I will be there to protect you captain if something goes wrong," Zoro mumbled softly, seeing Luffy drift back to sleep once more. He prayed for Luffy to stay asleep while they climbed.

"Wait a second!" Usopp stopped Zoro from carrying Luffy back. He wrapped Luffy with the blankets even if his hands seemed to start burning as he tried to near Luffy. But he did it despite it all. "Now take him." This way Zoro won't have to suffer a lot, he hoped. He wished to join them, but he would only drag them down if he does.

"Thanks Usopp," Zoro responded as he carried Luffy on his back once again.

"If you are serious about this, I won't stop you but at least climb up from the other side. The route to the top from here is full of lapins. They are violent and carnivorous rabbits." Dalton warned, ignoring his chattered bed. A part of his mind really wondered how the kid was still alive. "If you come across a pack of them, there'll be no escaping alive."

"We are in a hurry," Zoro stated, ignoring the warning.

"If we come across them, I'll kick any that get in our way." Sanji replied. He wasn't going to let the moss head do everything.

"Keep on or I'll leave you behind, cook!" Zoro spoke as he took off running.

"You sure Luffy would be alright with them?" Vivi asked for Nami and Usopp who nodded without a slight hesitation. They trusted Zoro and Sanji with Luffy.

"I still can't comprehend that kid's body temperature," Dalton blurted looking at Zoro and Sanji who were heading at full speed towards the mountain all the while bickering to each other. "How the hell is he even alive?"

"To be honest, Luffy is a mystery," Usopp stated, his eyes never once leaving the little back of Luffy's. "He defies logic and nature. By time I learned to stop questioning about it."

"And if you try questioning him, then the answers which he gives are crazy enough to stop making you question," Nami added her two cents. She had stopped questioning Luffy after knowing about his devil fruit and his father. As long as Luffy was energetic and happy, it was all fine. That's what mattered to her. Neither his oddities nor his mysteries.

"I see," Dalton replied. "Well, let's get in." Dalton spoke as he opened the door for them to enter, but none of the three budged.

"What's wrong?" Dalton asked.

"I want to stay outside for now," Nami answered first.

"Me too!" Usopp and Vivi replied in unison.

"Why don't I join you then?" Dalton spoke with a smile as he sat on the snow.

"I wish I could have helped you guys more," Dalton spoke looking at the mountains. "It was not like this before, the doctors, I mean. There's a reason why all of them save for one disappeared."

"What do you mean?" Usopp asked .

"Only a few moneths ago, this country was destroyed at the hands of pirates..!" Dalton spoke looking at the snowy ground.

"That's why you were hostile to us," Vivi stated, getting a nod from Dalton in return.

"They were a crew of only 5 people and their captain called himself 'Blackbeard'."

A/n:

Sorry guys for the abrupt break which we took. It was mainly due to me. I would have posted the chapter but my laptop... It stopped working. I am habituated to write the story using my laptop and currently I can't use it for a few months anymore. The point is I am learning to write stories once again and sometimes I felt frustrated while doing it on the phone.

I'll try my best though to keep the level of the chapters as how I used to write... But please go easy on me after the next chapters.

Hope you all enjoyed the current chapters!

Have a nice day/night!